Abstract: A vehicle and ladar sensor assembly system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to identify potential collisions with the vehicle. A low cost assembly is developed which can be easily mounted within a body panel cutout of a vehicle, and which connects to the vehicle electrical and computer systems through the vehicle wiring harness. The vehicle has a digital processor which interprets 3D data received from the ladar sensor assembly, and which is in control of the vehicle subsystems for steering, braking, acceleration, and suspension. The digital processor onboard the vehicle makes use of the 3D data and the vehicle control subsystems to avoid collisions and steer a best path.

Abstract: A distance image sensor includes a light source that generates pulsed light, a light source controller that controls the light source, a pixel circuit including a photoelectric conversion region, charge readout regions, and control electrodes, a charge transfer controller that sequentially applies control pulses to the control electrodes, a signal readout circuit that reads out detection signals of an amount of charge transferred to the charge readout regions and a distance calculator that repeatedly calculates a distance from a difference value between two amounts of charge on the basis of the signals, the light source controller changes generation timing of the pulsed light according to a pseudo random number, and the charge transfer controller changes timings of the application of two control pulses for transferring charge corresponding to the two amounts of charge according to the pseudo random number so that the timings are replaced with each other.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein related to controlling, using control circuitry, modulation circuitry to modulate and delay first ultrasound data generated by first ultrasound transducers positioned at a first azimuthal position of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound device and second ultrasound data generated by second ultrasound transducers positioned at a second azimuthal position of the ultrasound transducer array of the ultrasound device, such that the first ultrasound data is delayed by a first delay amount and the second ultrasound data is delayed by a second delay amount that is different from the first delay amount. The first and second ultrasound data received from the modulation circuitry may be filtered and summed. The ultrasound transducer array, the control circuitry, the modulation circuitry, the filtering circuitry, and the summing circuitry may be integrated onto a semiconductor chip or one or more semiconductor chips packaged together.

Abstract: The present application discloses an optical signal processing circuit for a Lidar. The optical signal processing circuit includes an optical processing circuit, a gain control circuit connected to the optical processing circuit, and a controller connected to the gain control circuit. The optical processing circuit includes an optical sensor and an amplification circuit. The optical sensor is configured to convert an optical signal to a photocurrent signal, and the amplification circuit is configured to convert and amplify the photocurrent signal to a voltage signal. The controller adjusts a gain of the optical processing circuit via the gain control circuit and based on an amplitude of the voltage signal.

Abstract: An apparatus including a semiconductor substrate; an absorption layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate, the absorption layer including a photodiode region configured to absorb photons and to generate photo-carriers from the absorbed photons; one or more first switches controlled by a first control signal, the one or more first switches configured to collect at least a portion of the photo-carriers based on the first control signal; and one or more second switches controlled by a second control signal, the one or more second switches configured to collect at least a portion of the photo-carriers based on the second control signal, where the second control signal is different from the first control signal.

Abstract: A system and method receive a first beam pattern from an optical source that includes optical beams transmitted towards a target. The system and method measure a first vertical angle between at least two of the optical beams along a first axis relative to the FMCW LIDAR system. The system and method calculate a second beam pattern based on the first vertical angle and a pivot point. The second beam pattern produces a second vertical angle between the two optical beams. The system and method adjust one or more components from a first position that forms the first beam pattern to a second position that forms the second beam pattern for transmission towards the target. The system and method receive one or more return optical beams from the target, based on the second beam pattern, to produce a plurality of points to form the point cloud.

Abstract: Adaptive phase unwrapping for a time-of-flight camera. A scene is illuminated with modulation light having two or more frequencies that do not have a common integer denominator. The modulation light that is reflected off objects within the scene is received at a sensor array. The received modulation light is then processed and weighted in the complex domain to determine unwrapped phases for each of the two or more frequencies of modulation light.

Abstract: Methods performed by a first device. The methods include transmitting a first ranging poll to a plurality of second devices, receiving a polling response message from each of at least a first subset of the second devices, determining a propagation delay for each of the received polling response messages and determining a distance to each of the first subset of the second devices based on at least the respective propagation delays. The methods further include receiving a ranging poll from a second device, wherein the ranging poll is one of a multicast transmission or a broadcast transmission, determining a type of response to be transmitted to the second device based on at least a capability of the first device and transmitting a response of the determined type to the second device.

Abstract: An optical transmitting system for distance measuring includes a modulation signal generator, a light source, and an illumination driver coupled to the modulation signal generator and the light source. The modulation signal generator is configured to generate a modulation signal. The light source is configured to generate an optical waveform with amplitude modulation corresponding with the modulation signal. The illumination driver is configured to drive the light source. The illumination driver includes a switch and a switch driver. The switch is configured to switch between an on state and an off state to drive the light source. The switch driver is configured to drive the switch between the on and off states. The switch driver includes a first inductor and a capacitor in series with the first inductor and the switch.

Abstract: What is disclosed are systems and methods for measurement, pre-distortion, and linearization of FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) LiDAR chirped laser signals, in which I/Q channels of an IF optical signal of a combination of delayed and undelayed versions of the laser signal are generated and used in the process of pre-distorting waveform data for linearization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a TOF camera system comprising several cameras, at least one of the cameras being a TOF camera, wherein the cameras are assembled on a common substrate and are imaging the same scene simultaneously and wherein at least two cameras are driven by different driving parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light transmitting and receiving device and method, which output the power of a partial optical pulse such that the power thereof is different from that of another optical pulse, so as to receive reflected light, and identify whether an object, which is undetectable using the reflected light of an optical pulse outputted with relatively low power, is detected using the reflected light of an optical pulse outputted with relatively high power, so as to adjust the power of an optical pulse to be output thereafter. Therefore, detection efficiency can be maximized using low power while eye safety requirements are satisfied.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein related to controlling, using control circuitry, modulation circuitry to modulate and delay first ultrasound data generated by first ultrasound transducers positioned at a first azimuthal position of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound device and second ultrasound data generated by second ultrasound transducers positioned at a second azimuthal position of the ultrasound transducer array of the ultrasound device, such that the first ultrasound data is delayed by a first delay amount and the second ultrasound data is delayed by a second delay amount that is different from the first delay amount. The first and second ultrasound data received from the modulation circuitry may be filtered and summed. The ultrasound transducer array, the control circuitry, the modulation circuitry, the filtering circuitry, and the summing circuitry may be integrated onto a semiconductor chip or one or more semiconductor chips packaged together.

Abstract: A photodetector measures flight time by an imaging optical element imaging reflected light from an illuminated illumination region of an object illuminated by pulse light, and a light detection portion receiving the imaged light. The light detection portion is formed larger than a projection region reflected at the illumination region of the object and imaged on the light detection portion. In the light detection portion, a portion overlaying the projection region is activated as a light-detection region.

Abstract: The present application relates to a Lidar that includes a laser transmitter to emit a laser beam; an optical processing circuit. The optical processing circuit is configured to receive the laser beam reflected from a target object and convert the reflected laser beam to a photocurrent signal, and convert the photocurrent signal from an optical receiver to a voltage signal. The Lidar also includes a gain control circuit, connecting to the optical processing circuit; and a controller, connecting to the gain control circuit, to adjust a gain of the optical processing circuit via the gain control circuit and based on an amplitude of the voltage signal.

Abstract: An optical measuring device having a base for placing the measuring device and a targeting unit that is rotatable with respect to the base and defines a target axis for targeting a target object that is to be measured. The targeting unit has a first beam path for emitting optical measurement radiation in the direction of the target object that is to be measured. The targeting unit furthermore has a diffractive optical element (DOE), which is arranged or arrangeable in the beam path such that the optical measurement radiation is homogenized.

Abstract: Point cloud data that is missed due to an optical reflection object in measuring point cloud data using a laser scanner is used. A reflection object position calculating device includes a point cloud data receiving unit, a three-dimensional point cloud model generating unit, a missing data part searching unit, a missing data part determining unit, and a reflection object position calculator. The point cloud data receiving unit receives point cloud data. The three-dimensional point cloud model generating unit generates a three-dimensional point cloud model from the received point cloud data. The missing data part searching unit searches for a missing data part of the generated three-dimensional point cloud model. The missing data part determining unit determines whether the found missing data part has a predetermined specific shape. The reflection object position calculator calculates three-dimensional coordinates of the missing data part that is determined as having the specific shape.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus includes a precision calculation section that calculates a precision for each pixel, the precision based on a relation among the amounts of the electric charges stored at a plurality of timings that respectively delay by certain phases from a timing of the emission of the measuring light, wherein the precision is outputted from the distance-measuring apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging device is described which, in some examples, includes general pixels and phase difference pixels. The general pixels, when operated by control signals, receive light from a subject and generate currents or voltages that are measured; a depth is estimated based on the measurements. The phase difference pixels generate currents based on a switched charge source. Data obtained from the currents generated by the phase difference pixels is used to adjust the control signals and thereby improve an accuracy of the depth estimation.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes an optical emitter outputting a modulated signal to a target object; an optical receiver generating, according to a phase control signal, pixel signals corresponding to a reflected signal from the target object; an image processor calculating a depth phase based on the pixel signals and compensating for the depth phase according to a phase offset signal to output a depth information signal; a driving control circuit generating the phase control signal corresponding to a phase of the modulated signal and setting an initial phase difference between the modulated signal and the phase control signal according to the phase offset signal; and an offset calculating circuit setting a plurality of reference phases, selecting a reference phase closest to the depth phase among the set reference phases and generating the phase offset signal representing a phase difference between the selected reference phase and the depth phase.

Abstract: A receiver for a light detection and ranging system includes detecting elements, each configured to convert light into an analog detection signal. The receiver includes a first converting element configured to provide a first digital detection signal in response to a first analog detection signal. The first converting element is configured to use a first number of bits to represent the first analog detection signal. The receiver includes a second converting element configured to provide a second digital detection signal. The second converting element is configured to use a second number of bits to represent the second analog detection signal. The second number of bits is greater than the first number of bits. The receiver comprises a processing module configured to determine a first parameter of an object using the first digital detection signal and a second parameter of the object using the second digital detection signal.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a time of flight (ToF) sensor including a pixel array, a light source that emits light signals, and an optical device that projects the light signals to areas of an object which respectively correspond to a plurality of pixel blocks including pixels of the pixel array. Each of the pixels includes a plurality of taps each including a photo transistor, a first transfer transistor connected with the photo transistor, a storage element connected with the first transfer transistor, a second transfer transistor connected with the storage element, a floating diffusion area connected with the second transfer transistor, and a readout circuit connected with the floating diffusion area. An overflow transistor is disposed adjacent to the photo transistor and connected with a power supply voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensing device with a conical reflector for making a two-dimensional optical radar that mainly diffuses a light source using a diffusing element to form a diffused light, and directs the light source onto a reflection surface of a reflective element, after the diffused light is reflected to a reflector through the reflection surface, the reflector then reflects the diffused light to form a reflected light, and reflects the reflected light onto the reflection surface in order that the reflected light is reflected onto an optical lens through the reflection surface, and finally, the reflected light is directed onto a sensing module through the optical lens, and the reflected light is received through the sensing module; thereby achieving the effects of omnidirectional real-time scanning, one-time detection of 360-degree environmental characteristic points, and accurately and stably providing relative positions between each characteristic point and a robot.

Abstract: A mobile robot device and a method for controlling a mobile robot device to more accurately control positioning of the mobile robot device relative to a docking station. The mobile robot device obtains a first position relative to a docking station by scanning surroundings of the mobile robot device using a LiDAR sensor emitting a first frequency, moves the mobile robot device towards the charging station based on the first position, determines whether a distance to the charging station is within a first distance, controls the LiDAR sensor to scan the surroundings of the mobile robot device by changing a frequency of the LiDAR sensor to a second frequency less than the first frequency when the mobile robot device approaches within the first distance, and moves the mobile robot device towards the charging station based on the LiDAR sensor emitting the second frequency.

Abstract: A method of detecting optical crosstalk in a LIDAR system includes selectively activating and deactivating light sources of a light source array; triggering a measurement of the field of view (FOV) during which at least one targeted region of the FOV is illuminated by the light source array and at least one non-targeted region of the FOV is not illuminated by the light source array; generating electrical signals based on at least one reflected light beam being received by a photodetector array, where the photodetector array comprises a targeted pixel group corresponding to the at least one targeted region of the FOV and a non-targeted pixel group corresponding to the at least one non-targeted region of the FOV; and detecting optical crosstalk that appears at at least one portion of the non-targeted pixel group based on electrical signals from the targeted pixel group and the non-targeted pixel group.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for using a square wave digital chirp signal for optical chirp range detection. A laser source emits an optical signal and a RF waveform generator generates an input digital chirp signal based on the square wave digital chirp signal. A frequency of the optical signal is modulated based on the input digital chirp signal. A splitter divides the optical signal into a transmit optical signal and a reference optical signal. A detector combines the reference optical signal and a return optical signal from an object. The detector generates an electrical output signal based on the combined reference optical signal and the return optical signal. A processor determines a range to the object based on a characteristic of a Fourier transform the electrical output signal. A method is also provided for using the square wave digital chirp signal for optical chirp range detection.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a motor includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a first controller, a second controller, a third controller, and a fourth controller. The first controller is configured to, through execution of feedback control, compute a feedback control torque to be generated by the motor. The second controller is configured to compute a disturbance torque based on the feedback control torque and a predetermined angle. The third controller is configured to correct the feedback control torque by using the disturbance torque. The fourth controller is configured to compensate a transfer lag to the second controller between the feedback control torque and the predetermined angle.

Abstract: An optical sensor system including a semiconductor substrate; a self-mixing interferometry (SMI) sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a semiconductor laser having a resonant cavity; and an array of photodetectors formed on the semiconductor substrate. The SMI sensor is configured to generate an SMI signal responsive to a retro-reflection of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the semiconductor laser and received into the resonant cavity. The array of photodetectors is configured to generate a set of angular-resolved scatter signals responsive to a scatter of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the semiconductor laser.

Abstract: [Problem] The present disclosure proposes a technology that makes it possible to further reduce the influence of an error arising from a resolution of processing relating to measurement of the distance.

Abstract: Examples herein relate to optical systems. In particular, implementations herein relate to an optical system including an optical transmitter configured to transmit optical signals. The optical transmitter includes a first optical source and a second optical source coupled to the first optical source and injection seeded by the first optical source. The optical transmitter further includes an output coupler, the second optical source coupled to the optical coupler via an output waveguide and configured to emit light having multiple different wavelengths through the output waveguide. In some implementations, the second optical source is self-injection seeded.

Abstract: Self-mixed interferometer (SMI) devices and techniques are described for measuring depth and/or velocity of objects. The SMI devices and techniques may be used for eye-tracking. A light source of an SMI sensor emits coherent light that is directed to a target location with a scanning module. One or more SMI signals are measured. The one or more SMI signals are generated by the SMI sensor in response to feedback light received from the target location. The feedback light is a portion of the coherent light that illuminated the target location.

Abstract: An illumination source may be configured to illuminate the skin of the user. An illumination detector may detect electromagnetic radiation reflected of the skin of the user. A compensation module may be configured to determine the position of the skin of the user relative to the illumination detector. A processor may be configured to determine a heart rate of the user by analyzing information corresponding to an amount of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the illumination detector. The processor may also determine the heart rate of the user by compensating for the position of the skin of the user as determined by the compensation module.

Abstract: An electronic device is described. The electronic device includes a housing, a set of one or more SMI sensors attached to the housing, and a processor. The set of one or more SMI sensors includes a set of one or more electromagnetic radiation emitters having a set of one or more resonant cavities and configured to emit a set of one or more beams of electromagnetic radiation. The set of one or more SMI sensors also includes a set of one or more detectors configured to generate indications of self-mixing within the set of one or more resonant cavities. The processor is configured to characterize, using the indications of self-mixing, an optical field speckle of a target. The processor is also configured to characterize, using the characterization of the optical field speckle, a surface quality of the target.

Abstract: In one embodiment a LIDAR can comprise two similar photodetector arrays and a malfunction indicator circuit operable to generate a malfunction signal when a measure of difference between range data from similar directions reported by each of the photodetectors exceeds a threshold value. A challenge associated with LIDARs is malfunction detection and failsafe operation in the event of a malfunction. Embodiments provide for two photodetectors in a shared remote ranging subassembly to address the challenges of malfunction detection. The two photodetector arrays can each receive light reflections from overlapping angular ranges in one or more FOVs (e.g. transferred using CFOBs) and thereby function to provide redundancy and confirmation of reflection distances. Within embodiments a reflection splitter can serve to uniformly distribute laser reflections from a common field of view among two photodetectors, thereby providing each with a half-resolution image for range comparison.

Abstract: A light detector is provided to include a light receiving array having a plurality of light receivers respectively outputting pulse signals upon incidence of photons. A delay setting value is set which is used to adjust a time interval from when the pulse signals are output from the light receiving array to when a response number, which is a specified number of the light receivers outputting the pulse signals, is acquired.

Abstract: A time of flight sensor includes a time of flight (TOF) processor having a digital TOF port, a digital input port, and a digital output port, the TOF processor comprising a phase detector including cyclically rotating demultiplexer (DEMUX), a first summer coupled to a first DEMUX output, a second summer coupled to a second DEMUX output, a third summer coupled to a third DEMUX output, a fourth summer coupled to a fourth DEMUX output, and a phase estimator coupled to outputs of the first summer, the second summer, the third summer and the fourth summer and having a phase estimate output; a driver having a digital driver port coupled to the digital TOF port and a driver output port; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having an output port coupled to the digital input port of the digital TOF processor.

Abstract: A Time of Flight (ToF) system, includes one or more optical elements configured to emit optical signals at two or more measurement frequencies and at least one disambiguation frequency, a detector array comprising a plurality of detectors that are configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light provided thereto, and a circuit configured to control the detector array to obtain a first subset of the detection signals at a first plurality of phase offsets corresponding to the two or more measurement frequencies and to obtain a second subset of the detection signals at a second plurality of phase offsets corresponding to the at least one disambiguation frequency, wherein the second plurality comprises fewer phase offsets than the first plurality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a TOF camera system comprising several cameras, at least one of the cameras being a TOF camera, wherein the cameras are assembled on a common substrate and are imaging the same scene simultaneously and wherein at least two cameras are driven by different driving parameters.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a circuit to mitigate ripple. The circuit includes a controller that generates a PWM (pulse width modulated) clock signal. A DC/DC converter receives the PWM clock signal, and generates an output signal. A light source is coupled to the DC/DC converter, and receives the output signal. The light source transmits light pulses during an integration time. A time integral of the output signal during the integration time is constant during a plurality of quad time periods.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a representation of an environment. Methods may include: determining location information of a vehicle including a road segment and a direction of travel; identifying features of the road segment based on sensor data from sensors carried by the vehicle; projecting the features of the road segment onto a ground plane of the road segment; defining bins across a width of the road segment; laterally positioning the defined bins relative to a determination of positions of the features of the road segment; consolidating detected features of each bin to define features of the road segment; and guiding an autonomous vehicle along the road segment based, at least in part, on the consolidated detected features of the road segment.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide an architecture of a laser imager having high spatial resolution, compatible with an application installed on board a vehicle, in particular on board an aircraft. For this purpose, the invention proposes the generation of a piece of wide-field laser ranging information by a suitable remote optical system. An example of a piece of equipment (1) according to the invention installed on board an aircraft moving in an environment that is likely to contain obstacles (4), in particular an aircraft on the ground, includes a laser range finder (11) coupled to an optical fibre (F1) emitting laser pulses (I), which is itself coupled to an optical system providing an interface with the environment (12) via an optical cross-connect (13) coupled to a covered optical fibre bundle, in the form of laser illuminations (Fi).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for calibration of an optical sensor package, including setting an initial detection threshold of a detector, gradually increasing a power level of a signal generator that is in communication with a detector to cause a detected power at the detector to exceed the initial detection threshold, storing in a memory a first power level of the signal generator at which the detected power at the detector exceeds the initial detection threshold, and adjusting the initial detection threshold of the detector to an adjusted detection threshold to include a detection buffer amount within the adjusted detection threshold.

Abstract: A microscope system includes: a stage on which an observation sample is mounted; an objective lens; a driving unit configured to drive the stage or the objective lens to change a distance between the stage and the objective lens; a light source configured to selectively irradiate the observation sample with one of autofocus detection light and excitation light; an irradiation region changing unit configured to change a region in which the observation sample is irradiated with light; a first mirror unit; a second mirror unit; a mirror arrangement unit configured to selectively arrange one of the first mirror unit and the second mirror unit on the optical axis; an imaging unit configured to capture the observation sample; a light intensity calculating unit configured to calculate light intensity; and a controller configured to adjust, based on a reference position, a distance between the observation subject and the objective lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for the use of unmanned aircraft systems to detect, locate, and identify objects in, on, or near the water that may provide useful information to people in a different location, such as on a nearby vessel for purposes of ultimately locating fish. The vessel can then take action based on data collected by the unmanned aircraft system, such as move to a new location to catch fish as detected by the unmanned aircraft system.

Abstract: A distance measuring device according to an embodiment includes a first device including a first transceiver configured to transmit a first known signal and a second known signal and receive a third known signal corresponding to the first known signal and a fourth known signal corresponding to the second known signal, a second device including a second transceiver configured to transmit the third known signal and the fourth known signal and receive the first and second known signals and a calculating section configured to calculate a distance between the first device and the second device on a basis of phases of the first to fourth known signals, and the first transceiver and the second transceiver transmit/receive the first and third known signals one time each and transmit/receive the second and fourth known signals one time each, performing transmission/reception a total of four times.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device scans through a scanning zone while emitting light pulses and receives reflected signals corresponding to the light pulses. The LIDAR device scans the emitted light pulses through the scanning zone by reflecting the light pulses from an array of oscillating mirrors. The mirrors are operated by a set of electromagnets arranged to apply torque on the mirrors, and an orientation feedback system senses the orientations of the mirrors. Driving parameters for each mirror are determined based on information from the orientation feedback system. The driving parameters can be used to drive the mirrors in phase at an operating frequency despite variations in moments of inertia and resonant frequencies among the mirrors.

Abstract: A range imaging apparatus includes a light illuminator that emits signal light from a light source toward a subject; a light receiver that receives light reflecting off the subject; a range image generator that calculates a distance value to the subject based on a time difference between emission and light reception, and generates a range image; a distance value distribution analyzer that calculates a distribution characteristic of the distance value calculated by the range image generator; an illumination controller that adjusts output of the light illuminator; an exposure controller that adjusts exposure by the light receiver; and a signal adjuster that adjusts the illumination controller and the exposure controller based on the distribution characteristic. The signal adjuster adjusts at least one of the illumination controller and the exposure controller for the second signal light based on the distribution characteristic obtained through emission and light reception of the first signal light.

Abstract: In order to improve the failure proneness of methods or devices for optically measuring distances, it is proposed that the measurement pulses for measuring distances are sent out aperiodically.

Abstract: A system and method for a rangefinding instrument incorporating pulse and continuous wave signal generating and processing techniques for increased distance measurement accuracy. The use of the former technique effectively solves the ambiguity issues inherent in the latter while allowing for relatively simple circuit implementations. Thus, a potentially more accurate phase-based distance measurement technique can be utilized which is also completely independent of the maximum range to the target.

Abstract: Various arrangements for avoiding obstacles for a visually-impaired pedestrian are presented. An m by n matrix of distance measurements may be created using a scanning time of flight (ToF) sensor component for various different directions. The m by n matrix of distance measurements and the m by n direction matrix may be analyzed to identify a first obstacle having a vertical height that differs by at least a predefined threshold measurement from a neighboring second region. Based on identifying the first obstacle, an indication of the first obstacle and an indication of the distance to the first obstacle determined using the m by n matrix of distance indications may be output.